Agencies conduct post-fire inspection of cargo vessel

SEATTLE – The Coast Guard, Washington Department of Ecology (ECY,) American President Line (APL) shipping company and the Seattle Fire Department along with assistance from U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are investigating a reported fire aboard a cargo vessel.

The 873-foot motor vessel APL Peru reported smoke and heated bulkheads in and around the ship’s number five cargo hold Sunday, Oct. 5, while transiting from Hong Kong.

The ship’s internal firefighting system was able to significantly suppress the fire and the ship’s crew has been constantly monitoring cargo hold temperatures. The cargo hold does not contain hazardous cargo and there are no reports of injuries or pollution.

The ship is under its own power and is being brought to Seattle for further investigation and inspection. Coast Guard and Seattle Fire Department personnel are aboard the vessel to monitor the incident as it transits the Puget Sound. Investigators from Washington ECY will check for pollutants once the vessel arrives to Seattle and CBP will provide security and information pertaining to crew and cargo aboard the APL Peru.